Antibiotics prescreption pattern and resistance profile of common isolates at Soba university hospital in Khartoum, Sudan, a retrospective cross sectional study

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an incrrasingly global public health threat. An average of 45% of all patients are prescribed antibiotics. Nearly 50% of these prescribed antibiotics are unnecessary and they may promote the emergence of resistant strains. Antimicrobial stewardship programs have been introduced to tackle this problem. In this study we aim to determine the pattern of antibiotics prescription and resistance profile of common bacterial isolates at Soba university hospital , Sudan. Methods: A retrospective cross sectional study that was conducted at the medicine and surgery wards in a tertiary care hospital . Records of all patients who were admitted during the study period were included. A presented data collection form was used to collect information. Results: Records of 269 inpatients were reviewed. The mean age of patients was 49.5±18.7 years. The most frequently reported diagnoses on admission included cerebrovascular accidents and chronic liver disease, with 10.6% and 7.1% respectively. Je mean duration of stay at the hospital was 6.6 ± 6 days. Almost 81.8% of admitted patients recieved antibiotics. The majority (38.7% and 34.2%) were given one, and two antibiotics, respectively. Most of the antibiotics were administered intravenously (82.1%). Third generation cephalosporin antibiotcs (38%) and metronidazole (21.7%) were the most frequently prescribed. No documented indication for antibiotic prescriptio was found in 40.5% of cases. The main reason for stopping antibitics was the patients discharge (63.6%). Of patients recieving antibiotics, only 5 (1.9%) had undergone culture. Complete blood count (CBC) was requesed in nearly all patients (99.2%). A total of 100 cultures were performed during the study time. Most of them were urine cultures (64%). Escherichia Coli was isolated from 14 (29.2%) cultures. Resistance percentage was highest for erythromycin, and oxacillin (100% for both). Conclusion: The study shows a trend of antibiotic misuse. Most patients recieved antibiotics without documented indication. Antibiotics sensitivity results showed high levels of resistance among isolated organisms. We recommended a wider study and formulation and impementation of clear guidlines to regulate antibiotics use.